Aston Villa predicted line-up vs Fenerbahce: double change made as Emery faces left-back crisis

Aston Villa have an ideal opportunity to bounce back from a disappointing weekend this evening, when they host Fenerbahce at Villa Park in the Champions League. Unai Emery’s side played out a frustrating 2-2 draw with Brentford in the Premier League last weekend, leaving the team 16th in the table with just one victory from their opening six matches.

Heading into their clash against Turkish side Fenerbahce, Emery’s side have some injury concerns to deal with. Notably, both left-backs are out, with Matteo Ruggeri and Ian Maatsen both unavailable through injury, along with George Hemmings and Modou Keba Cisse. Brian Madjo and Taylor Harwood-Bellis are both not in Villa’s squad for the league phase of the competition.

However, Leon Goretzka has made the Villa matchday squad for the first time since he joined the club back in the summer. Ahead of Emery’s side’s clash against their star-studded Turkish Super Lig opponents, this is the most likely eleven that will be fielded in their eagerly anticipated Champions League encounter.

Aston Villa predicted XI vs Fenerbahce: goalkeeper and defence

In goal, Zion Suzuki is set to make his second Champions League appearance for Villa, having been between their sticks for their opening fixture in this year’s iteration of the competition against Brugge. He conceded twice in that game, and could be in for a similarly busy evening when Fenerbahce come to town.

Villa’s defending has been disappointing so far this season, and they’ll need to be at their best to keep out the likes of Vedat Muriqi and Romelu Lukaku on Wednesday evening. Matty Cash is set to reprise his role on the right side of a back four, with Emery set to stick with his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation that continues to be dominant across English football.

In the middle, Tyrone Mings could be replaced with Sweden international Victor Lindelof, who will likely be paired with Pau Torres in the heart of defence. With the aforementioned double absence of Maatsen and £17m summer signing Ruggeri, Aaron Wan-Bissaka looks set to switch flanks and fill in at left-back as he did for 45 minutes against Brentford

Will Goretzka start against Fenerbahce?

Emery looks unlikely to rush Goretzka straight into his starting XI against Fenerbahce, as the German ace looks to be eased into action after a knee injury suffered in training following his extended post-World Cup break. However, he could well feature from the bench, offering Villa fans a first glimpse of the seven-time Bundesliga winner in action.

Joao Gomes and Boubacar Kamara look set to start alongside each other once again on Tuesday evening, as they aim to forge a solid midfield partnership in the long-term absence of star man Amadou Onana. The ever resilient skipper John McGinn, who scored against Brentford, is set to start in an advanced position off the right flank.

Over on the left, Swiss sensation Johan Manzambi will be looking to replicate the stunning form he showed at the World Cup with his country, while Emi Buendia will operate in the number ten role. Up top, expect to see Nicolas Jackson to lead the line, as he looks to add to the three goals he’s already scored so far this season, which included one against Brentford.

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